Seven Steps Week 34

Yesterday I was watching a local Houston, Texas TV station. It was heartbreaking. One of the reporter said really resonated with me. The reporters were discussing the people who chose not to evacuate even though their area was under a mandatory evacuation order. These people were now lining up to try to get out and they were complaining about the lack of food and water. I can understand their frustration but I also understand that for every action we take there is a consequence. This reporter was commenting that all these people had been warned many times to have a three day supply of food on hand. He questioned where that food was and why they had not followed this counsel. Then he commented that because the power was out and the infrastructure destroyed, people might actually be on their own for 18 days. He then said no one has an 18 day supply of food. That…is what hit home with me. We do! If you have been following our Seven Steps since the beginning you have an 18 day supply of food for your family. If you have just begun by the time you have completed the first 33 weeks you will too.

Since I had the TV tuned to the weather channel last week as I working I heard several times that people were being evacuated to College Station, Texas. This always caught my attention as that is where my son and his family live. I know they were prepared to provide help for those being evacuated. It is a good feeling to know you are prepared to help. So..lets keep moving forward.

1. Add fire starters to your Grab and Go Kit. If you choose to add matches be sure they are water proof and kept in a waterproof container. A small lighter is a better choice. A 9 volt battery and some steel wool also works well to start a fire. Simply gently rub the steel wool over the connections at the top of the battery. Sparks will be generated and it you do this over a flammable material you can lightly blow on the sparks and start a fire. Begin at the negative connection and move your steel wool toward the positive. It really works.

2. Add a Boy Scout field book to your G&G Kit or your 72 hour kit. It will give you basic instructions for building a shelter, fire and even a stretcher.

3. Add an emergency information card to your pet’s kit. This should include shot records, your name and contact information, your vet’s name and contact information, your out of area contact information and the name and contact information of a friend or relative that your pet knows who lives locally.

4. Add a three month supply of deodorant and shave cream to your food storage. You know how much you need because these are items we dated when we began our Seven Steps.

5. Place a glow stick in each room of your home. When a power outage occurs unexpectedly you do not want family members injured as they stumble around looking for a flashlight.

6.Make room to store your outdoor furniture. Now is the time of the year to think about storing your furniture for the winter. As you prepare for that seasonal activity think about an emergency and where you would move your outdoor items if a storm were approaching. Create a permanent location for that eventuality.

7. Find a pet sitter. Make arrangements with a friend or family member to care for your pets should you need to evacuate. For a flood, or home fire this person may live close by. When preparing for a hurricane, tornado or other catastrophic disaster the sitter should be outside your immediate area, at least 10 miles away.

There is flooding and clean up after Hurricane Ike as far away from the gulf coast as Maine. Thank you to those of you who emailed the posts from last week, including cleaning up after a storm. Today all of those friend in Ohio and Illinois as well as in Oklahoma, Texas and other affected states have the information they need to begin moving forward. If you have not already forwarded the info please do so today, it’s not too late. Cleaning up in the proper way prevents illness and injury so pass on what you have learned. I will keep posting more tip this week, be sure to check back.

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